Detroit Public Schools: Education Advantage

This year Detroit Public Schools is offering more choices, earlier than ever, during a new Open Enrollment Period now through April 16.

Individual schools include those neighborhood schools showcased by Excellent Schools Detroit as among the best in the City, as well as new schools and college preparatory programs with curriculum focusing on science, medicine and performing arts.

DPS also offers multilingual education programs, Public School League scholar-athlete programs and Parent Resource Centers.

Districtwide, DPS will createan Individualized Learning Planfor each student and academic blueprints for every parent, and will provide Netbooks for home usage to all students in grades 8-12.

Wrapping up the school assignments for current students early will ensure a smooth start to the new school year including the placement of a teacher in front of every child on the first day of school, states DPS Emergency Manager Roy Roberts.

Rather than continue to support underutilized buildings, DPS consolidated schools to allow resources to be delivered to a smaller group of high quality schools. In a number of cases, high achieving programs will move to newer, larger facilities to allow programs to expand and serve more students.

“We are embarking on a bold and ambitious journey with new educational models that will return this City to its rightful place as the world class leader in public education,” Roberts said.

With regard to the new Individualized Learning Plans, DPS Superintendent of Academics Karen Ridgeway said, “These learning plans will be automated and built electronically from

existing data systems, using test scores from the Michigan Merit Exam, MEAP, and benchmark assessments as well as other data, such as attendance.”

The district offers free breakfast, lunch and a snack, and provides services for children

with special needs. Parent involvement is strongly encouraged and supported.

More information is available in a brand new newsletter tab inserted first in Wednesday’s editions of the Michigan Chronicle and the Michigan Front Page. For enrollment information, call (313) 240-4377 or visit detroitk12.org/enroll